Fluid eduction



s. L. suNDsTRo'M FLUID EDUCTION Filed May l5. 1940 &

Patented Dec. l1, 1942 FLUID superiori Savin L. Sundstrom, Chicago,Ill., assignor to The Bastian-Blessingompany, Chicago, lll., acorporation of Illinois Application May 15, 1940, sesamo. 335,303

' (ci. ca -1).

14 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid educticn and to means for removinguid-either liquid vor vapor-from a tank. It has for one object toprovide in a. single fitting selective means for rel -moving liquideither from the bottom of the tank or for removing vapor from the upperportion'of the tank. Another object is to provide them.

means for combining in a single tting a plurality of independent outletsand means for controlling the passage of iluid through a predeterminedpath. Another object is to provide in a unitary iitting having a single:final outlet a plurality of independent takeo passages and means forselectively utilizing one or the other.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specicationand the claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diathe present invention. Itis taken on a largev scale withrespect to the showing of Figure l. Likeparts are designated by like characters throughout the specication andthe drawing.

In the particular form of the invention here shown a, tank l is, when inuse, more or less full of a liquid-2'. 'Ihe tank may or may not beburied as desired. Frequently, such tanks are buried in the ground andfrequently below frost level. The liquid whichis contained may be of anydesirednature but will frequently be liquefled hydrocarbon. One frequentuse of such apparatus is in the storage and dispensing of butane,propane and similar gases and mixtures of A standpipe 3 is secured tothe tank l and is in communication with its interiorthrou'gh a suitableopening. A unitary head 4 may be used to contain the various lling,gauging and outlet connection means. The invention is not limited tothis particular association .but is shown thus for convenience. Theunitary head 4 has a. number of passages through it and valves in itwhich need not be shown in detail. It is interiorly threaded as at 5 toengagecorresponding threading on the upper end of the standpipe l3. Inthe portion 6 of the member 4 is formed a iller connection. In theportion 1 is formed a vapor return connection. 8 and 9 are,respecmembers 6 and l. 'Ihese ,are not shown in detail as the inventionis not limited to them nor to association with them. The upper end ofthe unitary head i may be perforated and closed by a plate I0 which hasa perforation or passage Il formed in it. i2 is a seat member which ispreferably threaded in the perforation il and pro- .vides a bearing andseat for the gauge tube i3 which is provided with a removable closuremember it at its upper end. The gauge tube is calibrated as shown inFigure 1 and may be provided with a foot portion I5 which may include,if desired, an excess flow check valve to limit the iiow of fluidoutwardly through the gauge tube An outlet duct or passage I6 is formedin vthe unitary head'li. It is interiorly threadedas at Il to receive acorrespondingly threaded outlet tube i8 which is preferably opened atits bottom as at I9 and may have secured to it a spring 2B which restsagainst the bottom of the tank l to prevent excess vibration of the tubewith respect to the tank.

The duct or passage I6 is enlarged as at 2i. From the enlargement 2i ashort passage l22 leads to a space 23 formed in an extension of the mainhead t. An outlet duct or passage'24 leads from the space 23 to achamber 25'formed in the extension 26 which is preferably integral withthe head t. This extension is threaded exteriorly as at 21 to receive atube through which gas or liquid is conveyed lto a point of use orfurther treatment. A check 4valve seat 28 is adjustably threaded incorresponding threading 29 in the housing extension 26. The check valveseat member is perforatedfas at 30. A check valve 3l is vslldablymounted in the chamber 25. It may have grooves 32ron its exterior or maybe of hexagonal or other angular shape to provide clearance past itssides. A perforation 33 is formed in the check valve 3|. A spring 34 ismounted in the check seat 28 and holds the cheek `valve 3l in the raisedposition under normal conditions. The valve is thus held upwardly tocontact the stop 35 which projects inwardly into the chamber 25.

f a space or chamber 38' formed in the head 4. It

is providedwith an enlarged threaded portion tively, closures for theconnections formed in the 39 Whih engages corresponding threading 40 inthe space 38. In its lower end the stem 31 carries a tapered or more orless conical valve portion 4I which is separated from the threadedportion 39 by a reduced portion 42. At its upper end the stem 31 ispreferably given an angular shape as at 43 to permit of rotation by asuitable tool. Packing and packing retainers 44 are positioned about thestem 31 and a removable cover or cap 45 is provided to cover the upperend of the stem 31.

A cutoff valve stem 46 is mounted for movement within the space 23. Atits inner end it has removably secured to it a valve disc 41 which isheld in place by a' disc retainer 48. As shown in Figure 2, the disc 41,when the valve is closed, is seated against a raised seat 49. The valvestem 46 is reduced and threaded as at 50 and is provided with a head Iwhich rotatably engages an operating stem 52 which has secured to itsouter end a hand wheel 53. The portion 52 is thread.- ed and engagescorresponding threading in a bonnet 54 which is itself in threadedengagement I at 55 with threads formed in the head 4. A diaphragm 56 ispositioned about the stem 46. At its outer edges the diaphragm is heldin place by the inner end of the bonnet.54. At its inner edges it isheld against the stem 46 by a nut and washer 51.

Although there is shown an operative form of the device, it will -beunderstood that many changes in the form,'shape and` arrangement ofparts might be made without departing from the spirit of this invention,and it is wished that the showing be taken as, in a sense, iagrammatic.

The use and operation of this @vice are as follows:

As above mentioned, the passage and controlling members of thisinvention, which are particularly shown in Figure 2, may be associatedwith a tank in which liquid and vapor are present under pressure andthey are not limited in their use to association with any other controlor ll- 111g or emptying or gauging means. Means of this latter group,whichaie shown herewith, appear merely because for some purposes it isconvenient to make a unitary assembly including all' of such parts inaddition to the control apparatus and features of the present invention.l

` As the parts are shown in Figure 2, nothing is leaving the tank. Thisis because the valve 46,

41 is seated. If that valve were opened by rotation of the hand wheel53, the passage 22 would become open'vand liquid would be forced bypressure within the tank into and through the pipe I6, through thespaces or ducts I6, 2I, 22, 24 un-A til the liquid reaches the checkvalve 3|. If the liquid flows properly, it will pass down the portions32 land through the perforation 3U into the pipe which is secured to thethreads 21, and will flow to the point of use or to the point of furthertreatment.

If it is desired to cause vapor to flow, the valve 4I will be opened byrotation of the stem 31,

which causes the valve 4I to back away from the seat, and then vaporwould escape from the top of the tank I and, passing upwardly throughthe standpipe 3, would flow into the passage 36, thence through'2l to 22and through 24 to the check valve, and it would ow through the pipesecured to the threads 21 outwardly to the point of ''se.

'I'he movement of the valve in the passage just suggested would notclose the liquid passage, which remains open, but pressure equalizationacross the liquid passages would keep the liquid down in the pipe I8 atthe same level in which the liquid settlesin the tank as a whole and,thus, with the valve open, only vapor would pass out of the tank.

Should excess flows of fluid through the passage 24 occur, the checkvalve will close upon the oc' currence of predetermined flow conditionsand the valve member 3I will yield downwardly against the resistance ofthe spring 34 until lt is seated against the upper face of the seatmember 28. This will close the passages 32 but the opening 33 in thecheck valve 3| remains clear because it has been moved away from contactwith the projection 35. With the parts in this position fluid is notentirely cut off but is restricted because the cross'sectional area ofthe perforation 33 is less than the combined cross sectional areas ofthe spaces 3I. Upon-the establishment of proper` now-conditions thecheck valve is re and the structure of the present invention makes' thatsimple. To empty the tank, the operator will close the valve 4I and willdisconnect the regulator which will usually have been attached to thethreads 21 or in the line of fluid flow somewhere between the structureshown and the point of use. He will then open the valve' 46, 41, a hosewill be attached to the connection 21 and ,liquid'cf'n be dischargedthrough the hose to a pump which will force it into a tank truck orother-suitably safe movable receptacle. Thus, the entire contents may beremoved simply and safely. Heretofore it has been the usual practice,where a tank must be moved, to permit the contents to be exhausted tothe atmosphere. This is wasteful and dangerous because frequently acombustible mixture is formed which lies on the surface of the groundand constitutes a serious hazard.

I claim:

l. In combination in a fluid storage and dispensing system, a tankadapted to contain a quantity of liquid and a quantity of vapor underpressure, a plurality of discharge members, one extending from said tankand to a point adjacent to the bottomof said tank, the other extendingfrom a point adjacent to the top of said tank in communication `with thevapor space at all times, and a single control housing member, aplurality of passages through said housing member, one in communication,respectively, with each of said discharge members, and a single controlchamber, each of said passages communicating therewith, and a controlvalve positioned in said control chamber to close one of said passageswithout aifecting communication with the other, a singleI dischargepassage extending from said control chamber and comprising a fluidoutlet connection, a shuto valve in said outlet connection adapted to bemoved to close said discharge passage,and an excess flow check valve insaid outlet connection responsive to excess flow of vapor and liquid.

2. In combination in a fluid storage and dispensing system, a tankadapted to contain a quantity of liquidand a quantity of vapor underpressure, a plurality of discharge members, one

extending from said tank and to a point adjacent to the bottom of saidtank, the other extending communication, respectively, with each of saiddischarge members, and a single control chamber, each of said passagescommunicating therewith, a discharge passage extending from said controlchamber and comprising a iiuid outlet connection.

3. In combination in a fluid storage and dispensing system, a tankadapted to contain a quantity of liquid and a` quantity of vapor underpressure, a plurality of discharge members, one extending from said tankand to a point adjacent to the bottom of said tank, the other extendingfrom a point adjacent to the top of said tank, the

rst discharge member lying within the second, and a single controlhousing member comprising a unitary construction, each of said dischargemembers secured thereto, a plurality ofpassages through said housingmember, one in communication, respectively, with 'each of said dischargemembers, and a single control chamber, each of said passagescommunicating therewith, and a control valve positioned in said controlchamber a single control housing member, each of said disv chargemembers secured thereto, a plurality of ,passages through said housingmember, one in communication, respectively, with each of said dischargemembers, and a single control chamber,

each of said passages communicating therewith,

and -a control valve in the housing member positioned in said controlchamber to close one of said passages, a single discharge passageextending from said control chamber and comprising a fluid outletconnection, a shutoff valve in said outlet connection adapted to bemoved to close said discharge passage, and a check valve in said outletconnection.

5. In combination `in 'a fluid storage and dispensing system, a tankadapted to contain a quantity of liquid and a quantity of vapor underpressure, a plurality of tubular discharge members, oneexte'nding fromsaid tank and to a point adjacent to the bottom of saidtank, the otherextending from a point adjacent to the top of said tank-the firstdischarge member lying within the second, and a single control housingmember, each of said discharge `members secured" thereto, a plurality ofpassages through said housing member, one in communication,respectively, with each of said discharge members, and a single controlchamber, each of said passages communicating therewith, and a controlvalve positioned in said control chamber to close one of said passages,`a single discharge passage extending from said control chamber andcomprising a I uid outlet connection, a shutoff valve in the housingmember in said outlet connection Jadapted to be moved to close saiddischarge passage, and a check valve in said outlet connection.

6. In combination ina system for storing and dispensing liquid andvaporunder pressure, a tank, a standpipe extending therefrom and incommunication with the interior thereof, a consaid standpipe, a passagethrough said housing member in communication with the interior of saidstandpipe, a discharge tube extending to a point adjacent the bottom ofsaid tank, a second passage in said housing, said discharge tube incommunication therewith, and a control chamber within said housing, thetwo said passages being in communication with said chamber, means forcontrolling the iiow of vapor through said second passage, an outletconnection from said control chamber, a valve for opening and closingsaid outlet connection.

7. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid andvapor under pressure, a

tank, a standpipe extending therefrom and in communication with theinterior thereof, a control housing member secured to the outer end ofsaid standpipe, a passage through said housing member in` communicationwith the interior of said standpipe, a discharge tube extending to avpoint adjacent the bottom of said tank, a second `passage in saidhousing, said discharge tube in communication therewith, and acontrolchamber withinsaid housing, the two said passages being in communicationwith said chamber, an outlet connection from said control chamber,avalve for 'l opening and closing said outlet connection, means deiininga iinal discharge passage and an excess flow check valve positionedtherein.

8. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid andvapor under "pressure, a

tank, a standpipe extending therefrom and in communication with theinterior thereof, a unitary control housing member secured to the outerend of said standpipe, a passage through said housing memberincommunication with the interior of said standpipe, a discharge tubeextending to a point adjacent the vbottom of said tank, a second passagein said housing, said discharge tube Yin communication therewith, and acontrol chamber within said housing, the two said passages being incommunication with said chamber, and ja valve adapted to be moved toclose one of said passages, an outlet connection from said controlchamber, a valve for opening and closing said outlet connection.

9. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid `andvapor under pressure, a- Atank. a standpipe -extending therefrom and intherewith, and a controlchamber within said housing, the two saidpassages being in communication withsaid chamber, and a valve adapted tobe moved to close one of said passages, a

. single outlet connectionfrom said control chamtrol housing membersecured to the outer end of ber, a valve for opening and closing saidoutlet connection, means defining a naldischarge passage and an excessflow check valve positioned therein. i

10. In combination, a pressure vessel, an outforming members, a controlchamber in said housing member, all of said fluid passages communicatingtherewith, a valve positioned within said control chamber and adapted toclose one of said uid passages, a single main outlet from said controlchamber, a cutoff valve positioned to control said outlet, a dischargepassage beyond said cutoff valve, and an excess ow check valvepositioned in said discharge passage.

11. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid andvapor under pressure,` a tank, a fitting, means for removably securingthe fitting to the tank including an intermediate member fastened to thetank, a passage through said fitting in communication with the tank foreductingvapor, a second passageway, a discharge tube connected theretoand extending to a point adjacent the bottom of the tank for eductingliquidfrom the tank, a third passageway in said fitting terminatingin anoutlet adapted to receive a service pipe connector, manually controlledvalve means for selectively controlling the flow of gas and liquidthroughA said third passageway, and excess flow check valve means forcontrolling the flow of fuel through said third passageway.

l2. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid andvapor under pressure, a tank, an annular element secured to the tank incommunication with the interior thereof, a control housing memberremovably secured to the outer end of said element, a passage throughsaid housing member in communication with the tank through said element,a discharge vtube mounted on said housing member and extending throughsaid element to a point adjacent the bottom of said tank, a secondpassage in said housing in communication with the tube, a third passagewithin said housing, the rst two passages being in communication withthe third, a valve at one end of the third passage adapted to close oneof the first two passages, a valve at the other end of said thirdpassage for controlling the flow of fuel through the third passage inrelation to the position of the rst valve, and means for obstructingexcess ow of fuel through said passages includingexcess flow check valvemeans.

13. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid andvapor under pressure. a tank, a unitary tting body, means for securingthe body at an opening and in communication with the tank, a passagethrough said bodyin communication with the tank for educting vapor fromthe tank, means for educting liquid from the tank including a secondpassage and a discharge tube mounted upon the body in communication withthe second passage and extending to the bottom of the tank, a thirdpassage within said body, the rst two passages being in communicationwith the third, a manually controlled valve at one end of the thirdpassage for controlling the ow of vapor through the first passage, asecond manually controlled valve at the other end of the third passagefor controlling the iiow of liquid through the third passage when thefirst valve is closed, and means for obstructing excess ow of fuelthrough said passages including excessjflow check valve means.

14. For use with a tank for storing liquefied petroleum gas underpressure, a tting body adapted to be received tothe tank for dispensingsaid gas comprising a service outletI adapted to receive a serviceconduit to convey fuel from the tank to a place of consumption, branchpassageways leading from the service conduit to the interior of thetank, means for placing one of the passageways in open communicationwith the bottom of the tank including a conduit extending to the bottomof the tank, the other passageway being in communication with the top ofthe tank for educting vapor, a manual cutoi valve in the lastpassageway'ito induce flow of liquid through the-other passageway, afiller opening including a back iiow check valve, excess ow check valvemeans in the body controlling the flow of fuel into the service conduit,and a safety relief valve in said body including passageways openinginto the top of the tank independently of the branch passageways.

` SAVIN L. SUNDSTROM.

